Belchertown Police Department History

Up until 1968, the Belchertown Police Department was primarily a part-time operation, using town constables. In 1968, the town appointed the then part-time chief Ernest M. Gay Sr. to the position of full time Chief of Police. At that time dispatching for police emergencies was conducted from the chief’s own house, with officers responding to calls having to go to his home to pick up a cruiser and go to the scene.

In 1974, the town hired its first-full time patrol officer, Robert Knight. At that time the department was based in the Town Hall Annex with all police dispatching coming from within the chief’s house. The department ran three patrol shifts with these being staffed depending on an officer’s personal schedule and town budget constraints. If a shift could not be staffed, the officers were called upon on an “as needed” basis.

1977: Officer Robert Knight became the department’s first full-time sergeant.

1978: The police department moved its operation into the Finnerty House behind the town hall.

1981: Officer Robert Knight was appointed to Acting Chief when Chief Gay retired.

1982: Acting Chief Knight was officially appointed to the position of Chief of Police.

Between 1974 and 1981, the department expanded to seven full-time officers and they were maintaining 24-hour town coverage.

In 1983, the department outgrew its present accommodations in the Finnerty House building and was moved to the old post office building located on the town common. All dispatching and police activities were conducted from that location.

Over the years, under Chief Knight’s direction, the department has slowly expanded and evolved into what it is today. At this time, the department consists of sixteen full-time officers, nine part-time officers, and five full-time civilian dispatchers. Patrols are conducted from a fleet of four fully-equipped police cruisers, one unmarked detective’s cruiser , mountain bicycles for community and special event patrols, and one four-wheel drive pickup truck, which is used for emergency situations where a regular cruiser would be unable to travel.

In July 2000, the Police Department was relocated to a brand new state-of-the-art facility, located at the Gerry Whitlock Municipal Complex. This new building has complete computer access to many official databases, a new communications center, complete computer access, new holding cells as well a modern booking section, with digital video capability.

On December 31st, 2002, Chief Robert A. Knight, Lieutenant Bill Zobka, Sergeant Ernest Gay and Officer Winthrop Kellog retired from the department. At that time Sergeant Francis Fox was promoted to Chief of Police and assumed command of the police department. Shortly thereafter Sergeant James Jackson was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant and Officers Bruce Jenks and David Conkey were appointed to the rank of Sergeant. Later in July of 2003 Officer Kevin Pacunas was appointed to the rank of Sergeant. Due to an increase in staffing and a lack of supervisors for each shift Officer William Panto was appointed to the rank of Sergeant in April, 2005.

In September 2010 Officer Steven W. Henn Jr. was promoted to the rank of Sergeant after Sergeant David Conkey retired.

In September 2015 Chief Fox retired from the department. A search committee was formed and after interviewing numerous applicants, Christopher Pronovost, a Captain from the Amherst Police Department was appointed as the new Chief of Police in May 2016.

In September 2017 Sergeant Kevin Pacunas was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Officer Beaupre was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

In October 2018 Officer Neil Lozier was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.